Takaichi plans to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize as talks start on for trade, security
Donald Trump has met Japan’s newly chosen conservative leader and first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi
It’s an early test of Takaichi’s leadership, with she and Trump expected to finalise a trade deal
Takaichi’s predecessor negotiated a 15% rate for most Japanese exports to the US but the deal is yet to be signed
Trump, who has been pushing Tokyo to increase defence spending, is also due to speak at a US military base later today
After Japan, he flies to South Korea, where he will meet the Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
US President Donald Trump arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday.
He was traveling from the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. This is his fourth visit to Japan as US president. The last was in 2019 to attend the Group of 20 summit in Osaka.
Trump met with Emperor Naruhito on Monday night. He will also meet with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Tuesday.
Takaichi posted a message on X welcoming him. She wrote, “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and having a fruitful discussion on how we can further strengthen our great Alliance.”
She also posted photos of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree illuminated in the colors of the US national flag.
Trump and Takaichi are expected to talk about defense strategies and Japan’s planned 550-billion-dollar investment in the US. The investment is the result of back and forth trade negotiations.
